Miami Beach Commissioner Richard Steinberg Files for State House of Representatives, District 106

Miami Beach, Florida, January 10, 2007 — Miami Beach Commissioner Richard L. Steinberg announced today that he has filed as a Democratic candidate for the Florida State House of Representatives, District 106.

A Miami Beach native, Steinberg said that he's ready to fight on behalf of South Florida for a rational approach to the homeowner's insurance crisis as well as real education reforms and a solution to the region's traffic nightmares.  He looks forward to taking his combination of a deep loyalty to the area and government experience to Tallahassee on behalf of the residents of the district.

"It's not often that voters have the opportunity to elect a life-long resident of the district to represent them," Steinberg said. "But by doing so, the voters will know that they have elected someone who understands their needs."

Steinberg said that his commitment to public service was instilled in him in large part by his father, Senator Paul Steinberg, who served in the Florida Legislature for a decade, from 1972 to 1982.

"I am proud of my father and for the tradition of public service that he and my mother instilled in me," Steinberg said.  "I'm part of a new generation ready to tackle our current challenges with the same bi-partisan spirit that my father and many of his colleagues adhered to."

Steinberg said that as a Representative he would make homeowner issues as well as problems with transportation and education his top priorities.

"The skyrocketing cost of windstorm insurance and property taxes is having a catastrophic effect on all of us," Steinberg said.  "People have had to sharpen their pencils and dip into their savings just to continue living in their homes.  The state must act on behalf of homeowners not only to prevent future increases, but to decrease these outrageous costs for Floridians."

As a City Commissioner and a Governing Board Member of the Miami-Dade County Metropolitan Planning Organization, Steinberg has worked to improve traffic congestion.  He says that ultimately these solutions must come from Tallahassee.

"As our roads become more and more congested the economic vitality and safety of our community demands that the state adequately fund improvements," Steinberg said.  "I have the experience and know-how to fight for those funds in Tallahassee."

Steinberg, who has been a mentor through the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program for the past nine years, said that every child in the state of Florida deserves a first-rate education.

"As the son of a former public school teacher and a product of the public schools, I know what a first-rate education system means for the success of our children and for this state," Steinberg said, "It is unacceptable that Florida would consider a second-rate educational system an option."

Though only in its early stages, Steinberg's campaign has already received support from numerous elected officials including Congressman Alcee Hastings and state Senator Gwen Margolis (endorsements).  Ira Leesfield will serve as treasurer to Steinberg's campaign.

Steinberg is a graduate of Miami Beach Senior High School, University of Florida's Business School with honors, University of Miami's School of Law cum laude and he received an MBA with distinction specializing in finance from the University of Miami.

Steinberg is an attorney specializing in commercial litigation and transactions at Steinberg & Associates, P.A.  His wife, Micky, who moved with her family to the area at the age of 6, is a Realtor with Palm Properties of South Florida.